After Boos, Griffey A Big Hit

Seattle Slugger Changes Mind, Wins Derby

A record crowd at Coors Field booed Ken Griffey Jr. right into a show-stopping performance Monday evening at the Home Run Derby.

The Seattle Mariners star, booed loudly and relentlessly throughout Monday's workout for his plans to skip the home-run contest, changed his mind at the last minute and entered.

Then he went out and dusted nine of the game's top sluggers, including Cleveland first baseman Jim Thome in the final round.

``I figured there would be a few [boos), but not like that,'' Griffey said. ``I don't like to get booed. I don't think anybody does.''

Griffey hit 19 balls into the stands during three rounds of competition. By the time he was done, he had turned those boos into cheers.

He claimed not to notice.

``People think, `He has to do it. That's it. If he doesn't, [we're) going to crucify him,' '' said Griffey, the American League's leader in the All-Star voting. ``If people don't understand how I am, I can't worry about that.''

Griffey had cited the Mariners' difficult travel schedule for his reluctance to participate. He arrived in Denver after midnight after a Sunday night game in Texas.

Marlins third-base coach Rich Donnelly shared pitching chores with Rockies coach Rick Mathews. Donnelly, who said he hoped to ``give up the longest home run in history,'' failed in that aim but did surrender all 17 of Thome's bombs.

He also broke Thome's bat with a first-round toss, a batting-practice rarity.

The expected exhibition by Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire never materialized. McGwire managed four homers and was bounced after one round. He criticized Matthews' tosses, perhaps with tongue in cheek.

``I like the ball middle-in [but) most of those pitches were middle-away,'' McGwire said. ``Sorry, everybody.''

The event went on without Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa, Rangers outfielder Juan Gonzalez and Padres outfielder Greg Vaughn, all of whom backed out with injuries.

McGwire did manage the event's longest shot, a 510-foot rocket to the center-field bleachers.

``He did what he was supposed to do: He went 500 [feet),'' Griffey said. ``Did you see where that went? That's all people will talk about. That's what people want to see. Not how many. How far.''